Viewpoint: Second Amendment supporters pleased with 2021 legislative session

It was a productive legislative session for advocates of the Second Amendment, according to attorney Dan Zelenka, president of the Louisiana Shooting Association. “Overall, the 2021 session was quite good,” Zelenka said. “Four of the five bills our statewide organization supported — HB 48, HB 124, HB 597 and SB 118 — are now sitting on Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk awaiting his signature.”

Although three of the four pieces of legislation sailed through both chambers without significant opposition, Gov. Edwards could decide to veto SB 118, known as the concealed-carry bill. Introduced by state Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, and passed by a veto-proof majority, the law would allow Louisiana residents who are otherwise qualified to carry a concealed firearm to now do so without first obtaining a concealed weapons permit. Louisiana has always been a state with powerful pro-gun legislative leaders and zealous gun enthusiasts.

‘Doors into Daydreams’ art exhibition brings bold color to Magazine Street (sponsored)

Uptown just got more colorful. Mason Dupré, a Louisiana native by way of St. Charles Parish and a current Uptown dweller, is excited to bring his work to historic Magazine St. The colorful new art exhibition, “Doors into Daydreams,” is currently being featured at 3701 Magazine Street until June 20th. The inspirational collection focuses on mental health, while bringing a vivid experience of life through the use of bright acrylics on large-scale, delicate glass panes.

Police blotter: Shootings in Hollygrove and Hoffman Triangle, stabbing in Central City

The New Orleans Police Department reported two shootings and a stabbing in Uptown neighborhoods on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday (June 14), a 19-year-old male was walking in the 8200 block of Palm Street at about 9 p.m. when two gunmen approached him from behind and began firing. The victim was struck once and transported to an emergency room. The other shooting occurred Tuesday about 1:30 a.m. The victim, a 37-year-old man, was in the 3000 block of Second Street, near South Claiborne Avenue, when a sport utility vehicle pulled up. A man got out and began firing, striking the victim.

Tulane Summer Baseball Youth Camp is open for registration (sponsored)

Tulane University athletics is excited to announce the return of the premier baseball camp of New Orleans. Backed by a deep history of the game, love of the sport, and the spirit and community of sportsmanship, Tulane Baseball Academy has opened registration for summer 2021. Batter up! The dynamic and engaging youth camps will be open to boys and girls of all ages, grades K-12. Providing first-class instruction and giving the tools that they can take with them moving forward in their playing careers.

Our Lady of Lourdes church on Napoleon is on the market again

The pews are gone. The baptismal font and religious statues have been removed, and the church bell is no longer in the belfry. Even the stained glass windows are in storage elsewhere.

For now, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 2400 Napoleon Ave. awaits the next chapter in its nearly 100-year history.

Centenarian has seen 100 years of Uptown life

Sedonia M. Duffel, an Uptown native and long-time resident, will turn 100 on Tuesday (June 15). She has lived Uptown for most of her life, beginning in a shotgun double on Louisiana Avenue and eventually in her current home on Austerlitz Street that she and her late husband, Whelmon Duffel, purchased more than 50 years ago. The centenarian is the mother of eight, grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of 17. Her grandchildren hosted a celebration in her honor on Sunday with limited family, friends and neighbors. One of 14 children, Duffel overcame a serious case of dropsy (edema) as a child but was still able to help raise at least seven of her siblings.

Police blotter: Carjacking, shooting, stabbing, armed robbery

A carjacking, stabbing, shooting and armed robbery were reported in Uptown neighborhoods during the past week. The carjacking occurred Thursday (June 10) in the 4400 block of Washington Avenue. The victim, a 28-year-old man, had started his vehicle at about 11:30 p.m. and decided to run back into his residence. As he was getting out of the car, a man walked up and pushed him to the ground, according to a report from the New Orleans Police Department. The assailant grabbed the victim’s keys and drove off in his white 2014 Hyundai Elantra with Louisiana license plate 338 ENK.